Citroen Basalt : Citroen’s Basalt hit India in late 2024 and by 2026, it’s carving a unique niche as the affordable coupe-SUV that’s equal parts stylish head-turner and practical daily grinder.

Priced from ₹7.95 lakh ex-showroom for the base, this French-Indian mashup blends quirky design with proven PSA powertrains, undercutting rivals while offering a softer ride that soaks up our cratered streets.

For folks in Panipat juggling city crawls and occasional getaways, it’s the fresh alternative to cookie-cutter crossovers.

Sloping Style with Everyday Space

The Basalt’s fastback roofline swoops dramatically from A-pillar to tail, giving it that sporty coupe silhouette over a lifted hatchback stance—4,408mm long,

1,765mm wide, 1,660mm tall with a 2,651mm wheelbase that balances agility and rear legroom.

Split-LED headlights wink cheekily, 16-17-inch alloys (diamond-cut on top trims) fill the arches nicely, and ground clearance at 180mm clears speed breakers without scraping.

Boot swallows 470 liters, expanding over 1,200 with 60:40 split-folds—room for strollers or market hauls.

Inside, the accordion-like dashboard folds out in quirky fashion, wrapping a 10.2-inch touchscreen and digital cluster in soft-touch materials.

I handed one to a buddy for a test loop; faux leather seats hugged comfy, panoramic sunroof lit up the cabin like a greenhouse, and those gull-wing-style rear vents kept kids happy.

Colors like Polar White and Steel Grey make it stand out in traffic without screaming.

Boot lid lifts high, powered on automatics—family-friendly without fuss.

Turbo Petrol Punch in Two Flavors

At heart beats the 1.2L PureTech three-pot turbo: 109bhp at 5,500rpm and 190Nm (manual) or 205Nm (auto) from 1,750rpm, BS6 Phase 2 compliant with direct injection for peppy low-end shove.

Six-speed manuals shift notchy but precise, while the 6-speed torque converter auto (with paddles on Max trims) loafs smoothly in traffic.

Claimed 17-19kmpl ARAI translates to 14-16 real-world mixed, 45L tank good for 650km hauls to Ludhiana.

Drive modes—Eco, Normal, Sport—tweak throttle mapping; 0-100kmph around 10 seconds feels lively for merging, top speed 170kmph.

No diesel yet, but that raspy petrol note adds character. Front-wheel drive keeps it simple, torque-vectoring whispers for cornering poise.

Ride Magic from Citroen’s Soft School

Advanced Comfort suspension lives up to the hype—progressive hydraulic stops front and rear compress like marshmallows over ruts, yet rebound controlled without wallow.

Power steering weighs feather-light for U-turns, firms just right on highways.

NVH seals hush the cabin at 100kmph, tires humming softly. Disc brakes front/rear haul progressively, ABS with EBD standard across board.

In Punjab’s pothole paradise, it glides where others thud—city agility meets long-haul plushness.

Feature Stack That Punches Up

10.2-inch infotainment blasts wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, connected nav, and wireless charging; digital cluster shows tire pressures or door status.

Dual-zone auto AC, keyless go, push-start, and rear AC vents pamper five.

Top-spec Max packs LED projectors, 17-inch glossies, single-pane sunroof, and cruise control.

Safety nets six airbags (curtains top-end), ESP, hill-hold, 360-camera, and tyre pressure monitor.

No ADAS yet, but basics like auto emergency lock and speed-sensing door locks build trust. Hindi voice nods “lights on,” USB-C ports galore.

I fiddled the head-up display mockup—nav projections clear, no distractions.

Pricing Smarts in a Crowded Garage

You at ₹7.95 lakh, Max Dual Tone AT ₹13.75 lakh—on-road Panipat ₹9-16 lakh, EMI from ₹15k/month.

Undercuts Grand Vitara’s base, matches features of Hyundai Venue tops.

Service network grows via Stellantis, 3-year/1 lakh km warranty extendable. Resale? Early signs strong on French flair.

Running costs ₹6/km petrol, cheaper than turbo rivals’ thirst.

Why Citroen Basalt Stands Apart

Basalt isn’t another me-too SUV—it’s Citroen’s love letter to comfort-first drivers tired of stiff suspensions.

Sloping tail adds style sans sacrificing space; PureTech mill efficient yet fun. Tata Curvv mirrors coupe craze pricier; Basalt counters value and that legendary ride.

Haryana roads test rigs—this soaks undulations, turns heads at chai stops.

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Ownership Realities and Mod Hacks

Owners praise softness, gripe minor infotainment glitches (OTA fixes rolling). Hack mileage: Eco mode locked, steady 80kmph cruises.

Add roof rails for cycles, vinyl wraps for personalization. Pair Jio 5G—maps live, seamless.

For creators: 360-cam films parking prowess, stabilised clips smooth. Battery? Wait, petrol—idles quiet. Citroen nailed accessible quirk; waiting lists hint cult brewing.